EC Rap to MHA Over Relief Promise to ’84 Riots Victims

The Election Commission on Friday rapped the home ministry over its reported move to grant Rs 5 lakh as fresh compensation to the kin of those killed in the 1984 antiSikh riots.

In an order communicated to the ministry , the poll panel said dissemination of the decision in the media, even without a formal announcement,

The absence of any denial thereafter, created the impression that the compensation had indeed been approved.

This, had the effect of disturbing the level playing field ahead of the Delhi bypolls.

The November 25 byelections to Mehrauli, Krishna Nagar and Tughlakabad assembly seats in Delhi were called off earlier this week following dissolution of the state assembly .

The EC had last week sought an explanation from the home ministry following widespread media coverage of its alleged approval of additional compensation for Sikh families hit by the riots in the aftermath of then PM Indira Gandhi's assassination on October 31, 1984.

The commission would like to be reassured that such instances do not recur in future.